THS Baccalaureate 2025

Uniquely Crafted: Embracing God’s Design for You

The point of this evening’s talk is this: You are intentionally designed by God. Because you are designed you have a unique purpose and value.

FURTHERMORE: Understanding that God designed us can help Christians and others navigate their identity struggles, assuring them that they have intrinsic worth and a specific purpose within God’s creation.

THEME: Tonight I will demonstrate that each human being is a unique creation of God, thus deserving respect, love, and the pursuit of their unique calling.

Finally: Tonight you will see that God created humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), affirming the value and dignity of every person, ultimately culminating in Christ, who restores our identity and worth through his redemptive work.

WHAT I HOPE YOU GAIN: Embrace your unique design by God, recognizing that you are crafted with purpose and worth as part of His divine plan.

1. Purposefully Planned by God

You are intentionally Created - Without design, there is no purpose.

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

In Genesis, God took the time to create everything with intention, speaking things into existence. When He made us, He shaped us from the dust of the ground, with care and purpose, breathing life into us.

Some of you may have noticed the mural being painted downtown. The artist, Sarah, is a personal friend of mine. I have known her family for 27 years. I did her wedding, as well as all of her siblings. I spoke to her the other day. A significant amount of planning went into the work you see today. Sarah began months ago working on concepts, and applications, as well as managing the investment of time for the painting. Would someone, in the future see that mural and say, “WHAT A MARVEL OF NATURE. THAT MURAL JUST APPEARED THERE ON THAT BUILDING. ISN’T NATURE POWERFUL.” Not only would that statement be foolish, it would be massively disrespectful of the work that Sarah put into the project. This is the ugly conclusion of HUMANISM. You are told that you are a random collection of hap-hazard activity that led to a collection of cells. This view is disrespectful to GOD, it means there is no meaning to life, and this leads to humanity just sitting around waiting to die. (You have the opportunity to change that mentality) Go into your work place or school and realize that every person you see is created by a loving God. Instead of HUMANISM: Imagine a master artist painting a masterpiece; every stroke, every color, a deliberate choice. God didn’t just throw us together in haste; we are His handiwork, uniquely created for a beautiful life!

Psalm 139:13–14 (ESV)

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

God is intimately involved in our creation.

Embracing our uniqueness is not about pride, but about acknowledging the Creator's intentional design.

You have worth and your value cannot be measured - realizing that God has crafted you with a purpose.

Jesus affirmed the value of each person by dying on the cross for us, so that we may be brought before our Creator blameless; not because of anything we have done, but becaue of what He has done for us.

2. Divinely Destined for Good Things

Ephesians 2:8–10 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

God has plan for every human

our uniqueness is not only in design but also in vocation.

Understanding our identity in Christ is linked to the good works we've been created to carry out.

The world do not need people just doing good work. The world needs more people pointing others to Christ.

Faith in God is the only path to purpose and value.

Some people would tell younthat Christian faith does not work with scientific thought. But Capernicus, Galileo, and Newton would disagree with that idea. They used their gifts to point to the majesty of God’s creation. They did not study science and lose their faith. Their faith increased as their awareness of the greatness of God became more clear.

The military are not the only ones looking for a few good people. I want You to see that in God you have great purpose and value.

Embrace your divine purpose in the world. Do not allow the self-centered pride of this generation to rob you of understanding where your worth is found. God does not make mistakes. He offers choice. The choices we make either glorify Him or deny Him.

Jesus equipped and sent out His followers, indicating that our individual gifts and designs are meant for His mission, not just personal fulfillment.

James Irwin (March 17, 1930 – August 8, 1991) was an American astronaut, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and a United States Air Force pilot. He served as Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 15, the fourth human lunar landing. He was the 8th person to walk on the Moon.

Paraphrase what Col Irwin said: Man walking on the moon was a great accomplishment. But a greater event is that GOD walked on the EARTH.

God created humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), affirming the value and dignity of every person, ultimately culminating in Christ, who restores our identity and worth through his redemptive work.

I pray that your journey from here draws you closer to an almighty, just, and loving God.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you tonight.